Japanese skipper Kojiro Shiraishi has crossed the finish line of the Velux 5 Oceans in Bilbao (Basque Country) at 17:56:45 local time (15:56:45 GMT), just 43 minutes after Bernard Stamm. The skipper has completed the third and final leg of the Velux 5 Oceans onboard Spirit of Yukoh after a transatlantic sprint that started in Norfolk (USA) 12 days, 00 hours and 25 minutes ago.

By finishing and taking second place in the last leg, Kojiro Shiraishi confirms his second place in the Velux 5 Oceans race. The challenge started on the 22 October 2006 when the Japanese skipper left Bilbao with the race of the fleet. Six months later and after 118 days, 1 hour and 42 minutes at sea, Kojiro’s podium position is a great achievement.